Switché 2.28

Quickly switch between open applications using this handy task switcher utility

By Nick Peers | Nov 11, 2010

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If you’ve got loads of windows or applications open, switching between them can be a nightmare. Sure, there are shortcuts to open applications – hold down Cmd + Tab to view a list of program icons, then choose your application using the arrow keys – but it can be a nightmare switching between windows, particularly if you have a number open in the same application. Sure the dock provides thumbnail shortcuts to all open windows, but it’s not the easiest to make out, particularly as those thumbnails shrink as the dock gets filled up.

Kapeli already provides a tool in the form of DockView, which allows you to hover the mouse over a dock icon to reveal previews of all open windows in that application, but if you don’t get on with it, you might find Switché a better alternative. This works in a similar way to Windows 7’s Aero Peek feature: hold down a keyboard shortcut and up pops a preview window with 3D translucent thumbnails. Cycle through these until you find the window you’re looking for, then simply let go of the keyboard to open that window. Preview window too small? You can resize it or even make it full screen if you wish from the Preferences dialogue box, plus instruct Switché to ignore hidden windows or applications.

Switché offers three types of preview: all open windows, all open applications or all open windows in the currently selected application. Just set your chosen keyboard shortcuts and let the program do the rest.

This is a free time-unlimited trial – you’ll get frequent pop-up nag screens, which you can remove by paying US$7.99 for the full version.

Verdict

Another small, but potentially handy utility for those struggling to manage multiple open windows on their Mac.